Objects of My Affection

By: Jill Smolinski

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

In the humorous, heartfelt new novel by the author of The Next Thing on My List, a personal organizer must somehow convince a reclusive artist to give up her hoarding ways and let go of the stuff she’s hung onto for decades.

Lucy Bloom is broke, has been dumped by her boyfriend, and had to sell her house to send her 19-year-old son to drug rehab. Although she’s lost it all, she’s determined to start over. So when she’s offered a high-paying gig helping clear the clutter from the home of reclusive and eccentric painter Marva Meier Rios, Lucy grabs it. Armed with the organizing expertise she gained while writing her book, Things Are Not People, and fueled by a burning desire to get her life back on track, Lucy rolls up her sleeves to take on the mess that fills every room of Marva’s huge home. Lucy soon learns that the real challenge may be taking on Marva, who seems to love the objects in her home too much to let go of any of them.

While trying to stay on course toward a strict deadline—and with an ex-boyfriend back in the picture, a new romance on the scene, and her son’s rehab not going as planned—Lucy discovers that Marva isn’t just hoarding: she is also hiding a big secret. The two form an unlikely bond, as each learns from the other that there are those things in life we keep and those we need to let go—but it’s not always easy to know the difference.

Laugh-out-loud humor, heartfelt writing, relatable characters, and a charming premise all come together to make Objects of My Affection the next read for the fans of Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin, and Allison Winn Scotch.

©2012 Jill Smolinski (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A wonderfully written, heartfelt novel about what to keep and what to let go of as you move forward in your life.” (Claire Cook, best-selling author of Must Love Dogs)

“A hoarder and organizational expert clash in this light, amusing novel from Smolinski…A charmingly breezy tone marks this warm appraisal of our addiction to stuff.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

“I loved this deeply felt, bravely honest tale of a professional organizer who discovers just how messy life and love can be, but that everything truly does have a place. A treasure of a novel.” (Melissa Senate, author of The Love Goddess’ Cooking School)

Fun read

Great story that made me want to declutter my own house. Love the dichotomy of an organizer and a hoarder and what they learn from each other.
Narration was excellent.

thought provoking and thoughtful

this timely story -- kids and elders with addictions -- makes one think about their own families. Psychology of hoarding makes one think about what is important -- and what are we teaching our children.

Such a good story with a happy ending!!!

Loved the story & I think the narration was evem better. Xe did an amazing job on all parts and I really grew to love her voice.

I was obsessed.

The story, the characters, & the real life emotional connections all made this book a joy to experience.

Annoying

This was an OK story until about halfway through. Then it started getting stupid and my eyes got tired of rolling. The narrator also got on my nerves. I did stick with it till the end, hoping it would get better, but.... would not recommend.

Great story

It was a great story. Some predictability and some surprises but great humor and convo. The narrator did a decent job with each character but i had a hard time with her voices for some of the characters including the main one. But the story was worth it

Unpredictable & Captivating

I like this novel. However, I had a hard time adjusting my attention to the narrator. I was, at least, half way through the novel before I came to accept the tone and tenor of her interpretation of each character. The story is intriguing and the characters dynamic which helped me stay with the story until the end, which I am grateful I did.

Meh

It was difficult for me to really enjoy this book. I loved the character of the painter and it started out strong but the enabling of the main character drove me nuts.

Objects of My Affection

Great book. it's endearing, hilarious, sad, and many more things. You'll both laugh and tear up.

Entertaining but could have been more

3.5 stars, really. There were several really interesting characters and plot lines, but we ended up with the most obvious and least interesting ones as the main story. But it was relatable on many levels and, although I’m not a fan of this reader, the narrator kept the attitude and pacing pushing through. It could have use some editing, but I did enjoy listening on my drive home.